Lessons PR pros must learn from the COVID-19 crisis
As the pandemic enters its second year—and national cases plummet—what are the takeaways communicators should take to heart for the next public health emergency? Pros from Silicon Valley share their reflections.
As public health communications experts for Santa Clara County in California, Britt Ehrhardt and Marianna Moles have been in the eye of the pandemic storm for more than a year. It has been an intense and complex period of shifting priorities, incomplete and evolving information, and competing political agendas.
“Fortunately, we had a good team in place to carry out our emergency health communications plan, and we were supported by many other County departments, cities, and community organizations throughout Silicon Valley to help us spread essential information,” said Ehrhardt.
Intense news media
Santa Clara County was an early leader to carry out strong preventive health measures in response to COVID-19, and its local news conferences were covered by news outlets across the country. Everyone seemed to be looking here for news about coronavirus, and in response the County began early to livestream its news conferences to broaden access to reporters and the public.
“The volume of national and international media inquiries just exploded during the first several months,” said Moles. “We jumped from a couple dozen media inquiries in January to more than 400 in April.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
